A PUBLICAN was found driving with an "extremely high" level of alcohol in her system after hitting a kerb which resulted in a flat tyre.

Jane Binyon, 53, of St Leonards Farm in Ferndown, broke down on the A338 in Salisbury at around 4.24pm on July 13. 

Police found her silver Peugeot in the left-hand lane with a flat tyre while a passerby helped repair it but went on to tell officers that the defendant clipped a kerb and they believed she had been drinking.

Officers followed Binyon to check her "welfare" and decided to pull her over after two miles when there was a safe place to do so.

Binyon failed a roadside breathalyzer test and was arrested but the police did not notice any bad driving.

Her immediate reaction was one of "amazement and surprise" when she measured 117 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, above the 35mg legal limit.

Read more: ​Motorcyclist taken to hospital with life-changing injuries after crash

Binyon pleaded guilty to one charge of drinking while over the alcohol limit at Salisbury Magistrates Court on Friday, August 18.

Presiding Justice Mr Greenyer told the court this level was "extremely high", he said: "It is one of the highest I have seen in a long time."

Ian Daly, defending, said Binyon, a woman of good character, had drunk one glass of wine at work around 1pm but had consumed a large amount of alcohol with her husband the night before which her body had not yet fully absorbed.

The court heard how Binyon is "not dependent" on alcohol but has developed a habit of drinking on a near-daily basis after working at the pub.

See more: ​RAF Typhoons and F35s fly over Amesbury during Boscombe Down training

Mr Greenyer addressed Binyon directly, he said: "Driving with excessive alcohol is a very serious matter you were extremely fortunate that you were not involved in a crash.

Binyon was handed a 12-month community order which includes 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 120 hours of unpaid work and £299 costs to the court.

Due to the "very high level" of alcohol in her system, magistrates banned Binyon from driving for 28 months, which can be reduced if she completes a driving course.

Mr Daly said: "She is not an unintelligent woman. I'm convinced you will never see her before a court again."